What’s a Tip Stitch, and Can It Replace a Nose Job?

If you’ve long yearned for a subtle adjustment to your nose but are apprehensive about going under the knife, there might be a new option for you. For a minimally invasive nose tweakment the only option previously was a liquid rhinoplasty, which uses filler to improve the appearance of the nose. However, recently, the “tip stitch” has begun to gain attention. New York board-certified facial plastic surgeon Michael Bassiri-Tehrani, MD, who coined the term, gave us all the information you need to know before considering the solution yourself.

What is a tip stitch?

“The tip stitch is a minimally invasive procedure that lifts a droopy nasal tip using stitches that support the intrinsic cartilage of the nose,” explains Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. A tip stitch procedure can help provide structural support to lift the tip without any visible scarring.

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“The procedure was developed in response to patients seeking subtle nasal refinements without the downtime or recovery of traditional rhinoplasty,” says Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. He notes that many patients wanted only minor adjustments only to their nasal tip rather than a complete surgical transformation or revision surgery.

Who is a good candidate for a tip stitch?

The tip stitch is not necessarily the best option for all those seeking nose adjustments. “Ideal candidates are those with tip droopiness, poor tip support and a desire for subtle refinement,” says Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. “It is not for those wanting major nose reduction, significant reshaping or straightening or the correction of breathing issues.” He says a good way to check if you might be a good candidate is to support the tip of your nose with your finger and see if that helps change the appearance of your nose in the way you want.

Traditional rhinoplasty vs. tip stitch

There’s a world of difference between a traditional rhinoplasty surgery and a quick tip stitch—both in process and results. “Traditional rhinoplasty typically involves larger incisions and more dissection. Because of this, anesthesia is usually required, and recovery involves more swelling and pain,” says Dr. Bassiri-Tehranhi.

He notes that a tip stitch is limited in that it mainly addresses nasal tips that need support, so it’s best for minor enhancements and subtle lifting of the nasal tip. “While this could improve the appearance of the nasal bridge by balancing the shape, it does not directly address it,” notes Dr. Bassiri-Tehranhi. “A full rhinoplasty is recommended for larger structural changes to the nose top to bottom or breathing issues.”

Tip stitch before and after